The No. 15 Lehigh football team was too fast, too strong and too experienced for Harvard to expect to win on Saturday. Regardless of the team's strength on paper, the Crimson (2-3, 1-1 Ivy) didn't give itself any chance as it committed five turnovers.

Though Harvard gained more yards (437) than Lehigh (431), the Mountain Hawks took advantage of the good field position that the Crimson gave them and, perhaps more importantly, controlled the momentum of the game from the opening kickoff.

Early in the first quarter, Lehigh (6-0, 1-0 Patriot) took its first possession at their own 45-yard line. Harvard lined up in its pressure eight-man front on defense throughout the drive and throughout the game.

This defensive scheme forced Lehigh to throw the ball and put the burden on junior quarterback Brant Hall--a player more noted for his running ability than his passing--who was also nursing a sprained ankle and turf toe.

The Mountain Hawks' initial possession was a three-and-out. On first down, junior running back Phil Pleasant was gang-tackled for no gain up the middle by the Crimson interior defense. On second down, Hall's pass was incomplete, intended for senior wide receiver Brian Endler.

Facing third down and 10 yards to go, Hall found junior wide receiver Josh Snyder for a gain of only seven yards, forcing a punt.

Harvard sophomore wide receiver Carl Morris attempted to gather in a punt bouncing towards the goal-line, but the ball took a wild bounce and Morris could not control the ball and Lehigh recovered the first Harvard fumble of the day at the Crimson 12-yard line.

Lehigh elected to spread the field in the red zone with three wide receivers, but junior defensive end Phil Scherrer and freshman linebacker Dante Balestracci penetrated into the Mountain Hawk backfield and hit Pleasant, who fumbled, but Lehigh recovered the ball for a six-yard loss.